Do I get paid for Canada Day?

A Mountie poses for a photo on Canada Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa July 1, 2015. (Photo: REUTERS/Patrick Doyle)

Happy 149th birthday Canada!

It’s that time of year when we celebrate our great country and get a well-earned day off.

While everyone appreciates a long weekend, there can be confusion about whether employees get paid if they work on Friday or get a paid day off.

Are employees entitled to a paid day off?

Most Canadian employees are entitled to Canada Day pay, according to the employment standard legislation of their province or territory. Though not every province or territory necessarily have the same holidays, they all celebrate Canada Day.

However, there is often a qualifier to getting general holiday pay. For example, in Nova Scotia in order to receive holiday pay, an employee has to: